The 'Czar' abdicates
TweetBASKETBALL in Australia has lost another super servant with Perth Wildcats CEO and managing director Nick Marvin deciding to move on after 11 years.
During his time at the helm, the Wildcats have won four of their record eight championships (2010-14-16-17), with four won over the preceding 24 years.
They also twice were runners-up during his tenure, an unprecedented period of success.
He has led the club through its most prosperpous, pacesetting period, including the move into "The Jungle" at Perth Arena.
From October, 2013 until August, 2015, Marvin also served as Chairman of the NBL, a period during which the league re-established itself after "demerging" from Basketball Australia.
He earned his "Czar Nicholas" nickname due to his committed style, though rarely losing his sense of humour along the difficult journey. Verbal sparring with him was always enjoyable.
In both 2015 and last year, he was listed in the 100 Most Influential People in Western Australia.
Prior to his role with the Wildcats and also the WNBL's Perth Lynx, he was a management consultant to public, private and non-profit organisations in Australia and the USA.
It's rare to write about an administrator but Marvin has been one of the most influential of the past decade, steering his club to prominent and consistent success despite some very topsy-turvy times for the NBL.
The loss of his nous is a huge blow to the sport and, hopefully, BA, the NBL or the WNBL sees a way to utilise his experience in some ongoing capacity.
"It's been a fun ride," he told me.
It certainly has.